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The purpose of this study was to explore the dimensions of apparel manufacturing strategy (i.e. cost, quality, flexibility, delivery time) and their relationship to style and sewing systems. U.S. apparel producers are seeking strategies that will make their production competitive to production in low wage countries. Two style types were defined: new styles and standardized styles. Results indicated that the production of new styles of apparel is related to the manufacturing dimensions of quality and delivery. The standardized style is related to the dimension of cost. Significant associations were also found between the multiple‐sewing systems used by plants and dimensions of manufacturing strategy (cost, delivery, and flexibility).

In the current practice of production planning in the apparel industry, the decision is mainly based on the primary concerns of avoiding the late completion of contracts and minimizing costs. Production planners do not consider the factors of production order complexity and lot size which are closely related to the performance of an apparel production system. Toprovide more insights into the decision, this paper aims to explore the impacts of lot size and order complexity and their interaction effect on the performance of two distinct and representative apparel production systems, namely pull and push systems, using simulation technique. The results show that there is a significant difference in system performance across all levels of order complexity between pull and push systems. According to the results, no particular production system can outperform in all circumstances and a conclusion is drawn to provide insights into the selection of apparel production systems.

Like most industries that adopt a reactive manufacturing strategy, the clothing industry changes only when external forces dictate that the current approach or strategy will no longer satisfy the prevailing business environment. This paper presents a case study of the modular manufacturing system and discusses the underlying premises that support the success of modular manufacturing both in the formative stages and during sustained operation. A review of the known origins of modular manufacturing illustrates how this production system can be used to advantage for clothing manufacture. Modular is the apparel industry's attempt to optimise the social and technical components of a Sociotechnical System (STS). No single solution fits all products/tasks in fully optimising STS, given different technologies, environment and people, etc. Consistent with the requirements for STS, the authors have formed five conclusive statements regarding the characteristics of modular manufacturing for apparel.

The purpose of this paper is to examine merchandise performance-based financial productivity of offshore vs reshore sourcing scenarios for fashion/seasonal products with higher demand uncertainty, using computer simulation software.

Using Sourcing Simulator^TM, the researchers generated a data set of 530 simulations concerning merchandising performance measures for offshore and reshore sourcing scenarios. Analysis of covariance was conducted for data analysis.

Results show financial productivity differs, depending on a sourcing decision between offshore and reshore sourcing scenarios as well as on the levels of volume error and assortment error. The reshore sourcing scenario through “Made-in-USA” domestic production strategy can have a better profitability, including gross margin return on inventory with service level, in cases of under-volume error and over-assortment error, than the offshore sourcing scenario.

Findings from this study are based on simulation data, which may have a gap between simulations and reality concerning the competitive advantages of “Made-in-USA” domestic production strategy. “Made-in-USA” domestic production strategy can be more agile and responsive to the uncertainty of markets and customer demands when the supply chain systems are well-integrated and fully implemented.

Results from this study contribute to fill the literature gap about differences of financial productivity between offshore and reshore sourcing scenarios for apparel manufacturers and retailers. This study also offers an insight of which decision response may be better to uncertain customer demands, while satisfying financial productivity.

Describes a model of a hierarchical planning system to provide a comprehensive approach to the complex production planning and scheduling problem. The model supplies a link between long‐term and short‐term planning; the three tiers of the hierarchy implement: long‐term inventory planning on a cost minimization basis; shorter‐term production planning; and daily sequencing. Emphasizes efficient processing and transmission of information.

The application of objective measurement of the mechanical properties of fabrics in the apparel industry began around 1975 in the Hirakata area, which is one of the centres of men's suit production in Japan. At that time the KESF system had been developed and thereafter spread rapidly. The measurement of mechanical data under low‐load level by the KESF provided useful information for the apparel engineers who needed some means of fabric measurement by which the tailoring process might be controlled. The fabric dimensional stability testing using steam press was also standardised at that time (HESC 103A method). At present, the KESF data and the stability data are essential for apparel engineers and are used widely in the Japanese apparel industry. In addition to the use of objective measurements in each factory, a centre for objective fabric inspection has been recently initiated in the Hirakata area, for the inspection and control of fabric by the objective system for tailoring process control. In addition, a co‐operative work between the apparel engineers and the university has been carried out to develop a new equation for predicting the good appearance of a suit on the basis of fabric mechanical data. Automatic tailoring such as automatic overfeed action on the basis of fabric mechanical property is also carried out under the co‐operation of the university, the apparel industry, and a sewing machine manufacturer (Juki) in Hirakata. The progress of these projects is presented.

The purpose of this paper is to perform a contrast study on the technologies and contributions of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) being in use in apparel and metal cutting/removal industries. Some significant differences in the technologies and operational characteristics of existing FMS in the soft‐goods apparel industry and in the hard‐goods metal working industry are identified. Detailed discussions on interesting comparable contributions of FMS at various dimensions such as quality, productivity, flexibility, etc., are also presented. Recommendations for future research are also provided.

Supply chain management (SCM) in the apparel industry was empirically examined through a quantitative research design. The objectives of the study were to identify the level of SCM activities and to examine the relationship of selected company characteristics for a set of US apparel manufacturers. Through the literature review, six dimensions of SCM (i.e. partnership, information technology, operational flexibility, performance measurement, management commitment, demand characterization) were identified. US apparel manufacturer groups, based on their SCM activity levels, showed statistically significant differences in company characteristics including product fashion level, fabric supplier delivery performance, relationship with fabric suppliers and retail customers and relative size of retail customers. For example, a high level of SCM activity implementation is closely related with the characteristics of more basic goods production, higher delivery performance of fabric supplier, and relatively big retailers. These manufacturers also had more partnership‐like relationship with their supply chain members.

This paper argues for the immediate use of Kansei engineering to help deal with the chaotic situation of poorly implemented and disconnected technologies. A theoretical criticism of the current industrial capitalism, together with the promotion of a new post‐industrial form of capitalism, lays the foundation for an explanation of how this transition can be achieved through a proper understanding of Kansei. A detailed explanation of the interactive production system apparel demonstrates the benefits to both manufacturers and consumers. The paper concludes that the application to apparel is just one of the many potential applications to improving the lifestyle and enjoyment of individuals in the entire society.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication is a strategy to address companies’ goodwill to the society. Based on the institutional theory suggesting the influence of environmental factors of companies’ country-of-origins on their marketing practices, the purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the CSR communication practices of apparel firms from different countries.

As a case study approach, this study investigates six apparel firms’ CSR communication disclosures on the official websites using a content analysis method and the Global Reporting Initiative’s categorial CSR reporting guidelines.

Findings revealed that the six firms’ CSR communication adoption levels and focusses varied; the USA firms largely focussed on labor issues, while the European firms focussed on environmental issues and the Asian firms centered on social issues.

Although this study has limitations that pertain to case studies in general, this study provides academic contributions to the literature and managerial implications about different CSR focusses and communication activities across countries.

CSR is especially important for the apparel business that highly involves social issues such as labor-intensive production. However, limited research showed how apparel firms are actually communicating CSR. This study was one of the early attempts on this topic.